Ex-Iraq premier calls for disbanding Hashd al-Shaabi

Iraqi Army and Hashd Al-Shaabi militias arrive at Saleh Village after retaking of Khalid, Saleh and Zanawer Villages of Qayyarah Town from Daesh terrorists on October 20, 2016. The operation to retake Iraq’s Mosul from Daesh terrorists continues. [Hemn Baban/Anadolu Agency]

Former Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi has called for disbanding the Hashd al-Shaabi, a largely Shia paramilitary force that provides support for government troops, Anadolu Agency reports.

“The mission of the Hashd al-Shaabi has ended after victory against the Daesh terrorist group,” Allawi, the head of Al-Wataniya coalition, said in statements.

He proposed that members of the paramilitary force could join the Iraqi police or military forces.

“The dissolution of Hashd al-Shaabi is a move to turn Iraq into a civilian state,” Allawi, whose coalition has 21 seats in the 329-member parliament, argued.

Established in 2014 with the express purpose of fighting Daesh, the Hashd al-Shaabi was formally incorporated into the Iraqi army in 2017.

The Shia force has been accused in the past of committing abuses against non-Shia residents of areas recently liberated from Daesh — allegations that the Hashd al-Shaabi denies.

READ: 200 Daesh terrorists handed over to Iraqi authorities

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